Saturday, November 3, 2007

The lyrics may be ugly, but gays like hip-hopDespite its gibes, hip-hop appeals to gay men, women

By John-John Williams IVSun ReporterNovember 4, 2007

The four hundred people draped in the latest urban threads on Thursday nights at Baltimore's The Hippo could sub for any popular hip-hop club in a major East Coast city. The line to the entrance snakes around the corner as hundreds eagerly wait for a chance to groove to the unmistakable bone-shaking thud of urban bass.

Upon entering the dance side of the club, the latest hits by T-Pain, Lloyd, Lil' Boosie and 50 Cent keep the dance floor packed. Small clusters of dancers gyrate to the beat. It isn't until the flashes of red, violet and white lights pierce the dark room that the stark differences between a stereotypical hip-hop club and the Hippo become apparent.

A group of men dressed in white T-shirts, Timberland boots and baggy pants held up by flashy gold belts dance with one another. An elbow's length away, a group of women - some dressed in sports jerseys, backward baseball caps and bandanas around their necks - reveals the dimensions of the club's gay clientele.

In Baltimore and elsewhere, hip-hop has found an unlikely ally in the gay community. The support is shocking because homosexuality completely challenges almost every rule that governs the testosterone-driven rap industry, which is hip-hop culture's crown jewel. Not only are there are no successful mainstream gay rappers, but gay slurs also are frequently tossed into rap lyrics.

The support is also surprising given the troubled year rap music has had. Critics have attacked the misogynistic and violent lyrics that dominate hit rap singles. Some have made rap music the scapegoat for everything from Don Imus' rants to the rampant use of the "n-word." Rap's popularity has even been questioned by critics viewing a decline in overall CD sales.

TDRT - That's fair. I didn't really know what to say about it either. I wanted to share because: a) I was ecstatic that the Sun is actually covering young black gays; b) I like this particular club and; c) I just felt like sharing.

I didn't offer any commentary b/c I didn't really know what to say either.

I have to admit it's ironic that gay black boys continue to support hip-hop even though hip-hop doesn't seem to love them back.